Fight continues after coach change for Lady Falcons

UNDERWENT another coaching change midseason, the Adamson Lady Falcons recognize that it is not the most ideal of situations but they are not allowing it to stop them from making something out of what is left for them in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

In a surprise announcement at the weekend, Adamson decided to make a change in coach after a 0-3 start to its season, replacing American Air Padda with assistant Rogelio “Onyok” Getigan.

The change effectively ended the three-year run of Ms. Padda with Adamson and marked the second time in four years that the Lady Falcons replaced its coach after Sherwin Meneses resigned from his post in Season 78.

While they were caught by surprise and rued the exit of Ms. Padda, the Lady Falcons said they appreciate what the American coach gave to them during her stay even as they said they will now work hard under new coach Getigan.

“Coach Air did a lot for us especially in instilling the fighting mentality in the team. Of course, we had lapses while she was with us. She just told us that even if she is no longer our coach we should not abandon the cause of the team and play as one and we intend to do that,” said veteran Joy Dacoron in Filipino after their first victory of the season on Sunday over National University.

The Lady Falcons are now banking on seasoned high school coach Getigan to turn the program around, something he said is a tough challenge but he is willing to take on.

“This is a big change for me. In high school you develop players but in college they are already good players and you have to double your work,” said Mr. Getigan, who gave volleyball titles to Kings’ Montessori.

The new Adamson coach said that the first order of business for them is “bringing back the confidence” of the players after successive losses.

He also shared that for now he does not intend to make big changes in the team’s system and just build on what they have at the moment.

“I have been part of the coaching staff and I know the strengths and the weaknesses of the players. So I’m not really entirely clueless about what they can do. So I will ride on that as we go along,” said Mr. Getigan, who shared that he learned of his appointment as coach only last Saturday and that he had yet to fully practice with the team prior to their win over NU on Sunday.

“It is going to be the same system for us. We may tweak some things along the way, in the rotation maybe,” he added.

Mr. Getigan had a winning start as new coach of Adamson, leading the team to a straight-set victory over the Lady Bulldogs, 25-15, 25-19 and 25-22.

The Lady Falcons came out strong and just did not relent the rest of the way.

Bern Flora led the way for Adamson with 15 points followed by Eli Soyud with 12 and Dacoron 10.

Mr. Getigan said amid all that had happened, the end goal for them remains the same, which is to eventual win a title.

“I want to help the team win the title. I don’t always say it to them but that is what I want,” said the Adamson coach.